Loose Leaf

The Official Blog of American Forests

A Changing Climate

President Obama during his second inaugural address, January 21, 2013. Credit: WhiteHouse.gov

Two weeks before President Obama took the oath of office for his second term, American Forests joined a broad coalition of environmental and conservation organizations that signed a letter encouraging the president to make climate change part of the national discussion during his second term. We asked him to “lead the public discussion of what we need to do as a nation to both prepare for the changes in climate that are no longer avoidable and avoid changes in climate that are unacceptable.”

Earlier this week, President Obama pledged to do just that in his second inaugural address, stating:

“We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity. We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations. Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires and crippling drought and more powerful storms.

The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult. But America cannot resist this transition, we must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries; we must claim its promise. That’s how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure — our forests and waterways, our crop lands and snow-capped peaks. That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God. That’s what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared.”

As referenced, America’s forests are an integral part of the climate change discussion. Our forests can help mitigate its effects by sequestering carbon, but our forests are also under threat because of a changing climate. For instance, our Endangered Western Forests initiative is conducting research and developing management strategies to save high-altitude ecosystems that are being adversely affected by climate change’s impacts.

If we want our forests to help us combat climate change, we need to help our forests — through policy, research, reforestation and other activities. We are committed to doing this. Commit to help us.